Cough Remedies for 1 Yr Old Twins

Toddlers bring everything home from daycare and preschool. One way to look at it is getting all these little "bugs" eventually does help build their immune system. I think you are doing all the right things to help with the symptoms. A couple of other things to do would be to get as much sugar OUT of their diets as possible and don't give them any cow's milk. Milk can irritate all the mucous membranes that are generating all the "stuff" coming out...runny nose, teary eyes and congested lungs. It would be worth a try. Good luck!

Hi, A.. I would take them to their Pediatrician to rule out anything serious. A vaporizer can work wonders but be meticulous about cleanliness of the unit and used distilled water to prevent lime build up.
Denise K. Resp. Tech. (retired)

Try a teaspoon of honey. i read about it in a parenting magazine last winter and it worked wonders for my 2 year old.

Hi A.,
I understand your frustration, but there are alternatives out there. I am a mother of two girls and I also am a pediatric chiropractor. I have a couple suggestions. First, get them checked by a chiropractor. Even though they don't have a "bad back" like most people think you need to see us, they probably do have a suppressed immune system resulting from an irritated nervous system. We check to make sure their brain and body are communicating at 100% so that the immune system can do it's job. Check out www.icpa4kids.org and www.mcpakids.org for more information. Second, I would suggest looking at your children's diets. Do they consume much dairy? Dairy is a very mucus producing product and it can offen flare up any problems the child is having. So, I would get rid of any dairy they are eating right now, keep them hydrated with water, and use the humidifier at night. I have heard about putting Vicks on their feet to help with coughs, but I would think the chemicals in Vicks aren't that great. I'm sure there is a homeopathic form you could find at any health food store. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. At ###-###-####. Sincerely, Dr. Heather S.

Hi A.,
My favorite remedy for my son since he was just a baby was
epson salt and essential oils in a warm tub. Epson salt is suppose to draw out toxins and the essential oil are to open the air passages. Our favorite oil for coughs and runny noses is called First Response. It has eucalyptus & tea tree oil in. We get it at our Homepathes office but you can get it also at any health store.
All the things you are doing already are aweswome. You are doing a great job. Sometimes those runny noses and persistent coughs are the worst to get rid of.......they seem
to linger on and on.
Best Wishes I hope your two sweeties are feeling better in no time.
M.

Unfortunately, sometimes we just have to wait for their little bodies to take care of it themselves. It's so hard to listen to your child nearly hacking up a lung, but we just have to do what we can just to make them more comfortable. My daughter has had a cold for the last week and it is finally clearing up. I just made sure she got plenty of fluids, and have put Vick's Vaporub on the last few nights. Good luck Mommy :)

It is possible that they have some type of allergie to something that you don't know about. Often allergies can come out as runny noses and a cough from the drainage. It could be anything from something they are eating to the type of cleaner you use to just plain dust. If you can't find the source I would consider taking them to be tested just to be sure. It could make them just a bit more comfortable. Just some thoughts...good luck!

I would try a combination of Vitamin C, multivitamins and then try an all natural cold remedy. I get all three of these things at Whole Foods and they seem to work well. The cold remedy has honey in it but I'm quite certain that they can have honey as long as they're 1 year old.

TAKE THEM TO THE DOCTOR!!!! My son who is almost 1 year old, had the same symptoms and I though nothing of it. Being at daycare and allergies I just brushed off the cough and runny nose as normal. He had those symptoms for about 10 days. Then he spiked a low grade fever and thats when I took him to the doctor. He had pneumonia. That night was the most horrible night. I pray that this is not what is gong on with your sons, but its better safe than sorry.

Have you taken them to the dr? Maybe it's more than just a cough now. Maybe it's allergies or asthma. My oldest daughter seemed to have a constant cough when she was little and we found out (after lots of meds) that it was actually asthma.

One good thing about daycares is that they'll build up their immunities and once they get to school they won't have that same experience.

Best of luck!

warm a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon lemon juice and mixed together and let them slurp it down. I read in a parents mag that you can give this solution to kids one and up to help releive coughs. My DD is 14 months and it seems to work for her. Call your doctor first to make sure your little one can have honey yet first

Hi A., this is a good one! Feed your twins Mango's. They are anti viral. It is one of the only things out there that is an antiviral. You can look it up online. You wouldn't believe all the health benefits. They are also rich in Vitamin C, which is supposed to help colds go away quicker too. Also vitamin c acts as a natural histamine blocker (just what benedryl does, only naturally). I'm all about natural. I believe we live in a toxic environment already, don't need to add any more toxicity by giving them drugs in medications. Do the research on the Mango's though. Give them as much as you can during the cold season. Also lots of vegetables and fruits will strengthen the immune system too! Good luck!!!!!!!!!
D.
mom of 3

Hi A.---Lots of good advice. I would also add that you might want to look at strengthening their immune systems through a well balanced diet. Having said that, though, I think there is a lot of difference in opinions to what constitues a well balanced diet.

First and foremost, fruits and vegetables contain the nutrients necessary for a strong immune system. Also include whole grains and legumes for an optimal diet. Use animal protein sparingly, it promotes an acid condition in the body in which disease thrives. Go to www.strongbones.org to see why cows milk may not be the best for human consumption.

Other ideas, go to www.askdrsears.com to learn about non-drug type itervention. When we take medicines, we stop our bodies from healing themselves. If we do this too often, we may find ourselves in trouble as we get older. A fever is not bad, it is killing virus and bacteria. We just need to let it run its course, unless the fever gets too high.

I am currently taking a Wellness Education class from a Naturopath who has her PhD in nutrition. I also have a degree in Home Economics. I would love to share additional information with you in order to help strengthen and balance your family's immune systems. Feel free to contact me an any time. Another option I can share with you is a whole food supplement, 17 fruit and vegetable powders with bran from rice and oats. Juice Plus+ comes in capsule, chewable and gummie forms and independent research shows that it has a huge, positive impact on the immune system (www.dianeshealthed.com) If you live in the Troy or Dundee areas, my group is sponsoring a talk by a pediatrician from Florida who practices complementary medicine along with traditional allopathic medicine. The lectures are Nov 14 and 15, respectively. Email me for the flyer. My phone number is ###-###-####.

Hi!

My son is almost 3 and I tried mixing 1/2 tsp of apple cider vinegar and 1/2 tsp of honey in a little medicine cup and it worked great. Ask you doc first if your boys can have honey yet; I can't remember if they have to wait until they're 1 or 2 years old before eating it.

God bless!

I used mint oil in the humidifier. You children may have a constant runny nose now, but when they get in school you will be thankful. It is tough the first few years of day care, but I still think they are better off than missing school in just a few years.

Wow busy Momma!
Sounds like youre doing a great job just a couple things for you, keep an eye on their throat if you see it getting irritated you will want to take her in to the Dr, also something my pediatrician(sp?) told us was to use a little benadryl that will help the cough at night.
Good luck!!

Hello A.,

I know the twins are probable well by now. but here is something that has kept my kids away from regular cough medicine for the past 2 years:

buy: peppermint oil, rosemary oil, basil oil
on a paper towel or tissue put
4 drops peppermint oil
2 drops rosemary oil
2 drops basil oil

put that in their room (where they can't get to it)
Also, I highly recommend the book: smart medicine for a healthier child. it's awsome. that's where I found that combination of oils for cough. it recommended to dilute the oils in 3 or 4 tabelspoons of a carrier oil and then rub it on the chest...well, my kids won't go for that...so I had to improvise. since my kids are older I could clip it on their clothes. your babies are still too young and might grab it and then they could get it on their hands, mouth, eyes, etc. that's why I said to put it somewhere in the room where they can't get to it. you can put a tissue in every room in the house the kids spend most of their time if needed

one word of advice...after about 24 hrs the tissue/paper w/ the oils don't smell so nice so it's time to throw it away.

I also recommend to you to read more about essential oils. here are a few links that I found to be helpful:

note: I guessed some the spelling of these oils =)



http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8479435537623601064

cypress --cough, edema (soak your ankles and feet w/ cypress & epson salt) bronchitis, calming --very powerful against bronchitis!!!

cedarwood atlas
cough, calmin, anti-inflamatory, bronchitis, antibacterial, good for skin - renewing skin




http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6305768170638733228

eucalyptus smithy -- safe for 2yrs and older -- smells like valerian. great preventative. kills airborn cold and flu viruses

~~eucalyptus globulus ~~NOT FOR KIDS, not for frail/elderly people. most popular - antiviral, antibacterial. too powerful

eucalyptus radiata - good expectorant. pulls things out of skin... like splinters, etc.

eucalyptus citradora (eucalyptus lemon) it is not 2 oils mixed! very powerful antimicrobial
very good bug repellant. very powerful antiviral/antibacterial.


lovingscents.com

Good luck and keep looking until you have the right answer for you and your babies. ~Carmen~

candy -

lollipops and lemon drops etc with Pectin help sooth against cough and sore throat

if they are one (my little guy is only a month ahead) I would stick with monitored lollipops :)

A.,

It sounds like you are doing the best you can. My little girl that I babysit has pneumonia so be careful with that.
Good luck!

T.

A. I am a full time working mom and I feel your pain, I have two different ages who were in care at the same time. The thing is all those germs come home and they switch off one is sick then the other. Alot of good old fashion hand washing and the other thing now and as they get bigger......I make warm Jello water. It is warm when they get sick and it coats the throat a little. By no means is it a cure all but it is a good alternative liquid and is yummy served warm.

A.,

Sounds like we have a lot in common. My husband and I were married Aug of 2005 and have a 1 year old girl Aug 13. I have to tell you that I was very uspet when they removed the OTC medicines for little ones. My little girl is in a daycare also which has proved to give her every cold that goes around. You are already doing most of what I would suggest with the vaporizor and such, the only other thing that I have found is that there is a saline nasal spray that you can get. You spray it in their nose a few times a day and it keeps everything moist and loose so that they are able to cough it up easier and get all of that stuff out. Good luck with everything okay? They'll get thru it =)

Go to www.melaleuca.com/lamillard
You can shop for just about anything you will need for those twins of yours.
If you want to sign up with me for healthier and more cost effective products give me a call or email me Oh and did I mention you can save up to 30-40% Also,if you want to try you could make a little money and start your own business part time.

L. Millard
____@____.com
www.workathomeunited.com/lamillard
www.livetotalwellness.com/lamillard
###-###-####

We need to build their systems up to fight these things off better. What type of vitamins are you giving them? I know of a great children's line that is sure to help...even if it is allergies!

S.
____@____.com

whoever said try honey....do not give them honey....they shouldn't have honey!

Well the good news is that if they have runny noses then the cough is actually helping them keep the mucus out of their lungs. When the snot runs down the back of their throat it irritates them so they cough. One thing that you can do is give them a little honey on a spoon and it will coat the back of the throat helping with the cough.
Blessings, K.

My ped. allowed me to give my son 1/2 teaspoon of children's triaminic when he was their age. Also, a humidifier with vick's helps a lot. I hope they feel better soon! :)
Try to limit their dairy until they are better. More clear liquids.

Okay, this will sound crazy because I thought that my dr was crazy when he suggested this for my 1 yr old's cough last spring. He suggested grounding up a little dark chocolate (>70% cocoa) and giving it to her. It did help the cough, though.

Hello A., The good news is that recent studies have proven that childen in day cares who are exposed to lots of viruses very young are healthier adults and tend to live longer. The bad news is that it sounds like your boys may have asthma. All 3 of my children had it and after any normal cold the asthma always lingered for some time. Talk to your sons doctor about it. Good luck.

I agree with Katrina, the cough serves a purpose and should not necessarily be surpressed. I give my kids some tylenol or ibuprofen at night to help them sleep and it seems to make them cough less and sleep more sound, but during the day they cough. I think you're doing everything that you should.

My niece has a history of croup and my son has had pneumonia and RSV (a respiratory disease) and both our doctors recommended the same treatment for coughs for the little ones. Turn on the shower with the bathroom door closed and let the room get really steamy. Then sit in there with the kids for at least 10 minutes. The steam helps loosen up any congestion. Then immediately take them outside into the cool air and let them breathe that air for about another 10 minutes or so. This really helped both my son and niece breathe better without meds. If the weather is bad/rainy then you can get a similar effect sitting in front of the open freezer door (which we had to do a few times - although I couldn't get my mom's voice out of my head saying "close the refrigerator!) ;) There aren't a lot of choices of meds for little ones - I and know us mommies hate to see our babies suffer!

Be careful with the honey recommendation made by another poster - honey can be very dangerous for little ones under age one. I would check with dr before doing honey treatment at that age. If they are a bit over one they might be fine though.

Good luck and I hope your coughs are gone soon!

A.,

When my little ones were sick I always thought that a nice warm bath with some Johnson's & Johnson's vapor bath in it helped. It's a menthol smelling liquid that you put in their tub to relieve cold symptoms, it will also suds up a little too.

I think it helps them to relax and relieve that congestion. It's not much just a comfort measure, but maybe it will help them to get some much needed rest to bounce back from a cold. Good luck!